Charles J. Pearce

Commander Charles J. Pearce, 79, of Rockville, Md., died August 25, 2008, at Shady Grove Hospital, Maryland.
He was born in Larksville on July 29, 1929. He was a son of the late Charles and Mary (Hayer) Pearce of Plymouth.
He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1947. While attending high school, he excelled in wrestling and track. He enlisted in the Navy following graduation. He completed both basic training and hospital corps school in Great Lakes, Ill. He served at the Newport Rhode Island Naval Hospital.
He served on the following ships: the USS Kitty Hawk, the USS Kersarge, the USS Consolation, the USS Haven and the USS Arequipa. He also served the following Naval hospitals: Naval Hospital in Annapolis, Md., and The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. While at the medical center, he received The Special Medal for negotiating a contract with George Washington University that granted Naval enlisted personnel college degrees for their medical technical schools. He graduated from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., as a commissioned ensign of the United States Navy. Commander Pearce was the first Medical Service Corps Officer to go from the enlisted to the officer ranks and achieve his BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees.
He is a Korean and Vietnam War veteran. In 1973, Commander Pearce retired from the Navy.
After his retirement from service, he taught business at the University of Gallaudet in Washington, D.C.
For the last 35 years, he was employed by the federal government.
Pearce was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, the former Phyllis Zaremba, of Plymouth; his brother Gunnery Sgt. Robert U.S. Marine Corps, Ret.; and sister Joan Berkheiser.
He is survived by his sons, Charles (CJ), Tennessee; Robert, Florida; and daughter Karen, Maryland; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by brother Rev Gerald Pearce, Larksville; sister Alice Stubbline, Plymouth; brother Ronald Pearce, Tennessee; and sister Linda Mihalaki, Mountain Top.
A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. from the William-Hagen Funeral Home Inc., 114 W. Main St., Plymouth. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call Friday, from 10 a.m. until time of service.